PRODUCTION OF BIOGAS FROM CO-DIGESTION OF COCOYAM PEEL AND PLANTAIN PEEL

ABSTRACT The demand and cost of domestic energy in Nigeria are on the increase, primarily due to the increasing human population and demand. This study investigates the potential of biogas production through the anaerobic co-digestion of cocoyam peel and plantain peel. The materials used as feedstock were agricultural waste (Cocoyam peels and Plantain peels). These agricultural wastes abundant in Nigeria represent a sustainable feedstock for renewable energy generation. This research explores the optimal ratio of cocoyam peel to plantain peel for maximum biogas yield, considering factors such as pH, Temperature, Total Organic Carbon, Nitrogen Content, Crude protein, Moisture Content and Ash Content. Anaerobic digestion is very sensitive to change in pH therefore pH was maintained. Six different formulations (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2) were prepared in duplicate to evaluate the effect of varying substrate ratios on biogas yield. A1: (240 g of Plantain peel + 1200 mL of Water), A2: (120 g of Plantain peel + 720 mL of Water), B1: (240 g of Cocoyam peel + 1200 mL of Water), B2: (120 g of Cocoyam peel + 720 mL of Water), C1: (120 g of Plantain peel + 120 g of Cocoyam peel + 1200 mL of Water), C2: (60 g of Plantain peel + 60 g of Cocoyam peel + 720 mL of Water). Six improvised jerrycans were used as bioreactors for the process. The experiment was conducted over a 14day period under mesophilic temperature condition and daily biogas production was measured. Significant differences among the different substrate for biogas yield were observed. Results indicated that co-digestion significantly enhanced biogas production compared to mono-digestion of single substrate. The digester loaded with co-digestion of cocoyam peel and plantain peel (C1) gave the highest volume of 38826.5 mL of biogas and the lowest yield was observed with A1(plantain peel) with 3698.5 mL of biogas. The presence of water in the set-up significantly improved the volume of biogas production from smaller quantity of the slurry. The recorded result revealed that the co-digestion of agricultural waste at different proportion under anaerobic condition can produce biogas and anaerobic digestion process is a viable option for effective degradation of organic wastes. This research further demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of utilizing cocoyam peel and plantain peel for sustainable biogas production, offering a promising solution for waste management and renewable energy in Nigeria. Keywords: Biogas production, Anaerobic digestion, Co-digestion, Feedstocks, Substrate, Plantain peel, Cocoyam peel, Formulations, Proximate composition, Renewable energy.